Benefit programs in Montana (2026)
For families in Montana we check every federal program below, then map your state's own programs and point you to the office that runs each one.
For some of Montana's own programs below we already have a vetted maximum from the official source. Those show "Up to $X/year". For programs without a vetted cap, we describe the program and link its official page while we finish computed-depth verification. Federal amounts are computed for every state, including yours.
Montana families can get Medicaid help with care at home through 3 Medicaid home and community-based services waivers that pay for care in your own home instead of a nursing facility. Montana also has a confirmed property-tax relief program for seniors, the Property Tax Assistance Program (PTAP). Its confirmed benefit is quoted in the program's own official wording further down this page. Montana also runs a federally funded LIHEAP energy-assistance program that helps pay heating bills for qualifying households. Figures checked against official sources, last on 2026-08-05.
Does Montana Medicaid pay for care at home?
Yes. Montana runs 3 Medicaid home & community-based services waivers, including "MT Big Sky Waiver (BSW) (0148.R07.00)" and "MT Home and Community Based Waiver for Individuals with Developmental Disabilities (0208.R07.00)". These pay for care in your own home instead of a nursing facility. We have no confirmed dollar figure for what they pay. Amounts depend on an assessment, and most waivers have waiting lists. Ask Montana Medicaid, or call 1-800-551-3191.
- MT Big Sky Waiver (BSW) (0148.R07.00)
- MT Home and Community Based Waiver for Individuals with Developmental Disabilities (0208.R07.00)
- MT Severe and Disabling Mental Illness Home and Community Based Services Waiver (0455.R03.00)
What property tax relief is available to seniors in Montana?
Montana has a confirmed property-tax relief program for seniors: the Property Tax Assistance Program (PTAP). Reduces the property tax RATE on the first $418,000 of the primary residence's market value by 30%, 50%, or 80%, tiered by income and marital status. TY2026 Single: $0-$14,286 = 80%, $14,287-$19,532 = 50%, $19,533-$29,037 = 30%. TY2026 Married/HoH: $0-$19,249 = 80%, $19,250-$29,085 = 50%, $29,086-$38,917 = 30%. Must own/be purchasing home and occupy as primary residence 7+ months/year. Apply by April 15. That figure is confirmed against Montana's own official page (last checked 2026-08-05). Montana runs 3 property-tax relief programs that seniors may qualify for in total. See the full list below, or call your state's Aging and Disability Resource Center at 1-800-551-3191 and ask which apply to you.
5 programs in Montana. Each description below is drawn from its linked source and shown in full: the tag next to each name marks its source tier (GOV/GOV PDF: the program's own official page, ANALYSIS/IND: a secondary source).
Property-tax figures last checked against official sources on 2026-08-05. See how we verify figures.
| Program | Benefit | Vetted maximum | Official source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Property Tax Assistance Program (PTAP) GOV VERIFIED | Reduces the property tax RATE on the first $418,000 of the primary residence's market value by 30%, 50%, or 80%, tiered by income and marital status. TY2026 Single: $0-$14,286 = 80%, $14,287-$19,532 = 50%, $19,533-$29,037 = 30%. TY2026 Married/HoH: $0-$19,249 = 80%, $19,250-$29,085 = 50%, $29,086-$38,917 = 30%. Must own/be purchasing home and occupy as primary residence 7+ months/year. Apply by April 15. | Official source → | |
| Montana Disabled Veterans (MDV) Property Tax Assistance Program GOV | Reduces the property tax rate on the primary residence by 50%, 70%, 80%, or 100%, tiered by income and marital status (see income_limit). Veteran must have 100% VA disability rating from a service-related injury (or be rated 100% due to individual unemployability). Surviving spouse qualifies if veteran died on active duty, from a service-related disability, or held 100% rating at death. Occupy home as primary residence 7+ months/year; apply by April 15. | Official source → | |
| Disabled First Responder (DFR) Property Tax Assistance Program GOV | Reduces the property tax rate on the primary residence by 50%, 70%, 80%, or 100%, tiered by income and marital status. Requires proof of disability retirement from a line-of-duty injury as a firefighter/law enforcement officer, or compensated permanent disability as a volunteer emergency care provider. Occupy home 7+ months/year; apply by April 15. | Official source → | |
| Montana Elderly Homeowner/Renter Credit (Form 2, Schedule 2EC) GOV VERIFIED | Refundable income tax credit of up to $1,150. Claimable even by those who owe no income tax or are not required to file. Amount is set by a formula based on household income, rent paid, and/or property tax paid. Requirements: age 62+, lived in Montana at least 9 months, and rented/owned/leased a home in Montana at least 6 months during the year. Renters qualify (a portion of rent is treated as property tax). NOTE: 2025 HB 831 would have raised the maximum credit (by ~$250) and eligibility, but it was vetoed by the governor and the override failed, so the $1,150 maximum remains in effect. | Up to $1,150/year. Income limit: Total household income under $45,000. Tax year 2025. Also up to $250. Montana Department of Revenue → | Official source → |
| Homestead Reduced Rate (residential principal-residence reduced property tax rate, HB 231 / SB 542, 2025) GOV VERIFIED | Lower graduated property tax rate for owner-occupied principal residences (occupied 7+ months/year). Under HB 231 (2025), for tax year 2025 the residential rate is approximately 0.76% of market value on the first $400,000, 1.10% on value from $400,000 to $1.5M, and 2.20% above $1.5M; non-qualifying (e.g., second homes) taxed at 1.35%. Legislative Fiscal Division estimated a median owner-occupant reduction of roughly $700/year. Homeowners must apply to the Montana DOR (deadline March 1, 2026 for the 2026 tax year) unless already flagged as a principal residence. NOTE: dollar/rate specifics are from the enacting legislation and the Legislative Fiscal Division (ANALYSIS), not the DOR program page; the program itself is listed on revenue.mt.gov. | Official source → |
Property Tax Assistance Program (PTAP) GOV VERIFIED
- Benefit
Reduces the property tax RATE on the first $418,000 of the primary residence's market value by 30%, 50%, or 80%, tiered by income and marital status. TY2026 Single: $0-$14,286 = 80%, $14,287-$19,532 = 50%, $19,533-$29,037 = 30%. TY2026 Married/HoH: $0-$19,249 = 80%, $19,250-$29,085 = 50%, $29,086-$38,917 = 30%. Must own/be purchasing home and occupy as primary residence 7+ months/year. Apply by April 15.
- Official source
- Official source →
Montana Disabled Veterans (MDV) Property Tax Assistance Program GOV
- Benefit
Reduces the property tax rate on the primary residence by 50%, 70%, 80%, or 100%, tiered by income and marital status (see income_limit). Veteran must have 100% VA disability rating from a service-related injury (or be rated 100% due to individual unemployability). Surviving spouse qualifies if veteran died on active duty, from a service-related disability, or held 100% rating at death. Occupy home as primary residence 7+ months/year; apply by April 15.
- Official source
- Official source →
Disabled First Responder (DFR) Property Tax Assistance Program GOV
- Benefit
Reduces the property tax rate on the primary residence by 50%, 70%, 80%, or 100%, tiered by income and marital status. Requires proof of disability retirement from a line-of-duty injury as a firefighter/law enforcement officer, or compensated permanent disability as a volunteer emergency care provider. Occupy home 7+ months/year; apply by April 15.
- Official source
- Official source →
Montana Elderly Homeowner/Renter Credit (Form 2, Schedule 2EC) GOV VERIFIED
- Benefit
Refundable income tax credit of up to $1,150. Claimable even by those who owe no income tax or are not required to file. Amount is set by a formula based on household income, rent paid, and/or property tax paid. Requirements: age 62+, lived in Montana at least 9 months, and rented/owned/leased a home in Montana at least 6 months during the year. Renters qualify (a portion of rent is treated as property tax). NOTE: 2025 HB 831 would have raised the maximum credit (by ~$250) and eligibility, but it was vetoed by the governor and the override failed, so the $1,150 maximum remains in effect.
- Vetted maximum
Up to $1,150/year. Income limit: Total household income under $45,000. Tax year 2025. Also up to $250. Montana Department of Revenue →
- Official source
- Official source →
Homestead Reduced Rate (residential principal-residence reduced property tax rate, HB 231 / SB 542, 2025) GOV VERIFIED
- Benefit
Lower graduated property tax rate for owner-occupied principal residences (occupied 7+ months/year). Under HB 231 (2025), for tax year 2025 the residential rate is approximately 0.76% of market value on the first $400,000, 1.10% on value from $400,000 to $1.5M, and 2.20% above $1.5M; non-qualifying (e.g., second homes) taxed at 1.35%. Legislative Fiscal Division estimated a median owner-occupant reduction of roughly $700/year. Homeowners must apply to the Montana DOR (deadline March 1, 2026 for the 2026 tax year) unless already flagged as a principal residence. NOTE: dollar/rate specifics are from the enacting legislation and the Legislative Fiscal Division (ANALYSIS), not the DOR program page; the program itself is listed on revenue.mt.gov.
- Official source
- Official source →
How much heating bill help can I get in Montana?
Up to $3,228 toward heating bills. That is the FY 2026 maximum Montana's Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) publishes. Most households get less. This is the ceiling, not a typical amount. A separate crisis benefit of up to $9,999 is available if your service is about to be shut off. Source: https://liheapch.acf.gov/profiles/Montana.htm
| Program | Benefit | Published maximum | Official source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) | Help with heating bills, plus emergency help if service is at risk. Emergency crisis help is available. | In Montana the published heating maximum is $3,228. Crisis maximum: $9,999. | Official source → |
Retirement income tax
Social Security in Montana: Montana taxes Social Security benefits only to the extent they are included in federal taxable income (up to 85% federally, depending on income). Beginning with tax year 2024, Montana's income tax starts from Federal Taxable Income, so the federally taxable portion of Social Security flows onto the Montana return and is taxed at the state rate (4.7% or 5.9% for 2025). Per the Montana DOR: 'Taxable Social Security income ... is included in Montana taxable income to the extent that it is included in federal taxable income.' A 2025 bill to fully exempt Social Security (HB 148) failed in the House, so benefits remain partially taxed based on income.
Pensions, IRAs, and 401(k)s: Pension, annuity, IRA, and 401(k) distributions are taxable to the extent included in federal taxable income (taxed at Montana's 4.7% / 5.9% brackets for 2025). Effective tax year 2024, Montana REPEALED its prior partial pension/annuity/IRA exclusion (which had been available to those with FAGI at/below ~$40,980 single / ~$43,300 joint) and the age-65 interest exemption. It was replaced by a flat standard subtraction of $5,500 from federal taxable income for taxpayers age 65 and older ($11,000 if both spouses filing jointly are 65+). This $5,500 senior subtraction applies to all income (not limited to retirement income). NOTE: Montana has NO property tax deferral program for seniors; the DOR's property-tax help programs are rate reductions and the refundable elderly credit only.
Official source →Federal programs: checked in Montana too
These are computed for every family, wherever they live.
VA Aid & Attendance
An extra monthly VA payment for wartime veterans and surviving spouses who need daily help.
Medicare Savings Programs
State help that pays your Medicare premiums, and sometimes deductibles and copays.
Medicare Extra Help
Lowers what you pay for prescription drugs under Medicare Part D.
SNAP (food support)
Monthly money for groceries. Older adults often qualify for more than they expect.
Social Security & SSI
Checks whether the person may be missing Social Security or Supplemental Security Income.
Federal tax credits
Credits and deductions families miss, including medical expenses and the credit for the elderly or disabled.
Medicare before 65
Medicare eligibility for people under 65 through a disability.
Who do I call in Montana for help with elder care?
Call your state's Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) at 1-800-551-3191. They're the free, no-wrong-door starting point for home care, respite and other long-term-care options in Montana. If someone is unsafe, neglected or being exploited, Adult Protective Services can help at 844-277-9300.
Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) / No Wrong Door
Free help understanding your options.
1-800-551-3191Which of these fits your family?
Being on this list doesn't mean your family qualifies. That depends on income, savings, care needs and service history. The free check works out which ones are worth your time, in about four minutes.
Not legal or medical advice. Benefits vary. Figures are estimates.